Flushing apparatus



NOV. 5, 1929. L, E, CQHQON 1,734,472

FLUSHING APPARATUS Filed July 30, 1928 2 sheets-sheet 1 i -j zj/@f5 @0150022 Filed July 30, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 5, 1929 LUTHER n. coHooN.v or LAGRANGE, rkILLINOIS.

' 'pri'.UsmnG APPARATUS Application ytllec )Tilly 3U,

This invention relates toimprovements ,in flushing apparatus and it consists of the mat-y ters hereinafter described and moreparticularly pointed out in the appendedy claim.

The primary objecty yof the invention is to provide a simple `and eliicient apparatus which operates on any water 'pressure for flushing a toilet.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide an apparatuswhich includes a reservoir and a valve which is normally secured in place by the water pressure and which kmay be dislodged Lfrom its seatand will 'float/until all water has been discharged from the reservoir when the valve will automatically return to its seat and be held thereon by said pressure until the reservoir is again refilled.

These objects of the invention as well as others together with the many advantages thereof will more fully appear as I proceed with my specification.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional View through one form of my improved flushing apparatus as when embodied in a building wall.

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the parts in a different position.

Fig. 3 is a transverse horizontal sectional view as taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical detail sectional view as taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the aceompanying drawings, the apparatus includes a reservoir or casing 1 which is closed at its top end by a wall 2 and is exteriorly threaded at its bottom end. In one side of the upright Wall of the reservoir is provided an interiorly threaded annular iiange 3 of large diameter which is normally closed by a plug 4, a gasket 5 being interposed between said flange and plug to make a tight connec tion therebetween.

Threaded onto the bottom end of said casing is a cap like fitting 6 which includes an axially disposed depending tubular neck 7. To this neck is secured an elbow 7a which opens laterally through the building wall 8 to receive the usual fittings (not shown) to connect the same with the flushing rim of a 192s. semi '-Nn. 296.150.

toilet bowl. Saidcap like fitting includes a horizontally-disposed Wallv `6n in which is formed 'an outlet opening of substantially large diameter which is defined by a valve seat 9'.' 'Said opening is disposed axially of the t'op portion of the neck 7 and a valve inember 1() vwithin the reservoir and in the form of asphere is adapted to engage kupon said seat. Preferably said valve member is inthe form of'a hollow'metallic ballr 11 and may or may not be providedl with a covering 12 of rubber or the like;

` Depending from the wall' 6R tothe rrear of the neck 7 is a flange 1'3intofwhichay pipe 14y leading from a water servicemain is threadedto provide the water inlet for said resern voir. f

Onthe front 'side of the topportion ofthe neck` 7 is provided a` tubular extension 15' the outer end of which terminates in a plane slightly forward of' that of kthe reservoir fiange''. On saidextension is screwed a nut 1'6.y Inisaid extensionv isan axially disposed actuating stem I17 the inner `end of which opensintothe neck 7 vand on the outer end of saidv stern'is a flat head 180i' substantially large'diameter. A compressible packing 19 vsurroundsthe stem betwecnthe neck 7 and a washer 2O on said stern and a helical ,expansion spring v21 :surrounds said stem between the said Washer and head ,18.

H The innerendof thestemisladaptedto engage with4 the depending arm 22 of' a bell ,crank like leverl 23 which is pivoted on a horizontally disposed pin 24 within said neck. The .horizontally disposed arm 25 of said lever is overweighted and includes a hump 26 `whichisdisposed closer to the pin 24 than is the point 'of engagement of the stem with the lever arm 22.y The other endl of said lever arm 25 is depressed or cut away so that when lthe lever is actuated' the hump 26 first enf gages the ball valve and then the outer end of said'arm next engages the same'.

27 `indicates a handle member which. projects throughan opening inthe nut 16 and has a flat circular head 28 which is disposed 'betweenthe-fiat endy of saidnutfand the fiat 'head' of theY valve stem.

" 'Assumethatthe apparatus-is installed'in place in a building wall S forming one of the walls of a bath room or the like, and the elbow 7 a is connected up to the flush rim of a toilet bowl. IVith the parts in this position only the plug 4 and handle 27 t0- gether with the nut 16 and a small portion of the neck 15 is exposed. Assume also that water has entered the reservoir through the pipe 14 up to the level shown as permitted by the pocket of air at the top of the reservoir. This water of course is under pressure and the ball valve is held down against the seat thereby.

Manual pressure in any direction upon the handle 27 to tilt the same out of its normal position will by reason of'its flat head, force the stem 17 inwardly against the action of spring 21 so that the inner end thereof will engage the arm 22 of the lever 2S. This will cause the hump 26 of said lever to engage the ball and impart the initial lift thereto off its seat against the action of the water pressure tending to hold the same thereon. Because of the difference in actual length of lever arms at this time, said initial opening is made easy and thereafter the outer end of the arm 23 imparts the linal lift to the ball valve to free it absolutely from its seat. `Water rushes under the ball into the neck 7 so that the water pressure is immediately relieved when the ball will float to, the top of the water, the level of which, of course, recedes as the water discharges, the valve bobbing about in the water.

Then the reservoir is about empty the final discharge of the 'water will carry the ball to its seat and as the water is running into the reservoir during the discharge, it will soon build up to that level wherein pressure will hold the valve against the seat, the ball valve always presenting a new contact surface to said seat for each operation. No matter at what pressure the incoming water may be, it is sufficient to do the work and therefore the apparatus may be used in those vicinities where other automatic valves are inoperative because of either too high or too low water pressures.

constant adjustment to insure operation. The apparatus is not dependent for operation upon any particular pressure but will operate eliiciently on any pressure whether the same is high or low.

'While in describing my invention I have referredin detail to the form, construction and arrangement of parts, I do not wish to be limited thereto except as may be specilically set forth in the appended claim.

I claim as my invention In an apparatus of the kind described a reservoir casing, a discharge member fixed to one end thereof and including a valve seat and a lateral tubular extension, a ioatable ball in said reservoir adapted to engage upon said seat, a spring pressed stem and stutiing box in said lateral extension with one end of said stem opening into said discharge member, a lever mounted in said extension n and-including a handle outside the same for actuating said stem, and a bell crank lever in said discharge member and including a load arm to engage said ball and a power arm disposed in a position to be engaged by said stem.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, this 19th day of July, 1928.

LUTHER E. COIIOON.

Should it ever be necessary to inspect the conditionvof the ball valve, this may be done by first shutting 0H the water main and liushing the apparatus. be removed to permit access to the interior of the reservoir and the ball may be replaced by a new one if its condition so warrants and the plug then replaced.

By turning the nut 16 in one direction or the other the tension on the spring 21 may Thereafter the plug 4L may Y be easily .determined and said spring acts at A all times to keep the stuliing box tight so that there is noleakage at the inner end of y the stem 17 during flushing. Y

The apparatus consists of but a fewparts which are easily made and assembled and does not include minute parts which require lill 

